War Vets Phone Tower Approved

Following pressure from Mackellar MP Jason Falinski, Northern Beaches Council has approved Telstra’s application to build a phone tower at the RSL War Vets site.

Initially, the council intended to block Telstra’s development application to build the War Vets phone tower. They had approached Telstra and encouraged them to withdraw their application citing visual concerns.

“When this issue was brought to my attention, I immediately thought of the hundreds of residents who are in desperate need for the phone reception that this tower will provide.” Mr Falinski said.

“The tower is not just about giving the residents the convenience of phone reception in their own homes – it’s actually a matter of life and death.”

“Considering the age demographic of residents, even something as simple as a fall, can prove fatal. Being able to call for help on a phone is vital.”

Mr Falinski created an online petition which quickly grew to just under 300 local signatories. Following multiple emails to council and local media attention, the Council removed the DA from the planning committee agenda where it was scheduled to be rejected and agreed to meet with Telstra to revisit the proposal. Following this meeting Northern Beaches Council decided to approve Telstra’s development application.